Fed Cup Winners

In the early days, the Fed Cup was dominated by the USA and Australia, but in the 1980s the tide turned and it is now the European teams that are clinching the Fed Cup with regularity. Russia currently tops the rankings at #1 with 37,895.00 points.

Although the USA is ranked 4th on the current ITF – International Tennis Federation – rankings (15 September 2008), it has been seven long years since they claimed the trophy. It will, however, take a couple more decades before the rest of the world catches up with the dominant Americans.

They won the inaugural tournament in 1963 and have lifted a further 16 Fed Cups since, topping the list for the most wins with ease. They have also claimed runner-up status on nine occasions. Down South, the Australians have also done remarkably well considering their size, and have bagged seven wins and top the runners-up list at 10. Interestingly enough, Great Britain has never won the Fed Cup.

In the 1990s Spain, with the aid of Arantxa Sanchez Vicario took charge. They claimed five titles in the decade, and quite clearly Sanchez Vicario was the hero behind the scenes. Today she holds three Fed Cup records:

Most rubbers played – 100

Most rubbers won in total – 72

Most singles rubbers won – 50

Spain is currently ranked no.6 on the ITF rankings and last won in 1998.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, Russia has shown resurgent form, with three wins. Other than that, the Fed Cup winners have been relatively evenly distributed among the countries. Apart from the US, who won in 2000, Europe has been the main beneficiary: